New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-23
tried to get in the boat succeeded, they

tried to get in the boat succeeded, they
would have swamped it. The cowardly creatures
showed back the terrified women and proceeded to
take possession of the boat when one OF the mates
drew big. ugly navy six-chambered revolver and
fourIshing it in the faces Of the mob, swore that
he would shoot the first man who tried to get into
the boat. The crowd fell back from the frowninR
mate and his big revolver and the women were
hustled into the boat as rapidly as possible.
WOMEN NOT TREATED WITH CONSIDERATION.
At the other side of the steamship, however, the
women were not so well champioued and many
men crawled the side and jumped into the life
boats as they were being rowed away. One boat
entirely appropriated by the fremen.
One steerage passenger sliding down
into boat already too full. had
the rope that he clung to cut
by sailor and the luckless man fell into the sea-
He could swim. however and after bobbing around
for quarter of an hour, Richard Little, steward.
threw him lifeline and he was hauled in none the
worse for his ducking
Five boats loaded down with passengers were
landed in all, when by the aid of heavy mattress
the hole in the side of the vessel stopped. The
sliding doors to the flooded compartment had been
promptly shut The fact then gradually became
apparent that there was no immediate danger of the
Britannia foundenng, and Captain Perry gave orders
that no more boats should be sent away The panic
gradually subsided and order was restored Aid
received from the Celtic and preparations made
to bring the disabled steamers back to this CITY,
The Brtannic's head was turned around and she
began her return voyage. The spot where the &C.
cident occurred was marked by large number of
floating trunks mattresses, etc. washed out of tbs
shattered compartments.
Early the next morning the British Queen and
n ba bov in md
ance. 1t was deemed safest in the damaged con-
dition of both boats to have all the help that could
be obtained and the four steamers kept together to
the end Of the voyage. The voyage back was made
safely, but the danger Of sinking, should the
weather be stormy, remained. AS it was, every
time the Britannia listed over to the port side the
water rushed into the vessel.
BRINGING PASSENGERS TO THE CITY.
The mail-boat William Fletcher went down early
yesterday morning and took with her J. Bruce
Ismay, the agent Of the White Star Line, who re-
mained on board the Celtic. The passengers of the
Britannia, all except about sixty who were left on
the Celtic, were transferred to the Fletcher and
brought to this city. Purser Musgrave and the Sec
ond officer of the Britannia also came up on the
Fletcher The passengers were landed at the com.
panys pier. the cabin passengers returning to their
homes or to various hotels
S. S. Cortis, the immigrant agent Of the White
Star Line. took charge of the immigrants and
steerage passengers of the two steamers
and distributed them around among
several immigrant boarding houses in the lower
part of the city. About 100 were quartered at the
Miners Arms, at No. 2 Front-st Among those at
the Miners Arms were Rose Mooney, who was.
severely injured on the face back and right leg by
falling rigging; Mrs. Vaughn, arm sprained aud
thumb smashed, besides suffering from shock aud
exposure she having got wet in getting into boat,
and James Williams, who had his arm badly in
jured
Purser Musgrave on landing went to the ship
news Office of the Associated Press and wrote out
the following narrative:
on Thursday 10Th May. 1887 at 525 p. M, weather
calm, smooth, fog at Intervals the steamship Celtic
coded with the steamship Britannia, striking her on
the port sdo aft and doing considerable damage The
boats were lowered and led with women and children
cabin and steerage very orderly and expeditions
II is to their shame that several forced themselves
Meanwhile an examination was made aud the damage
the ship ascertanel, and finding that the ship
likely founder. recalled such boats as were
The others had boarded the Celtic Made pad and COW
cred the hole In the ships side to stop the Leak and re-
turned toward New-York, having arranged With the
The saddes aud most deporable phase that several
seerage passengers, who were lying about aft, were
killed. and several others injured.
Both vessels. accompanied by the steamships Marengo
The captain. officers and passengers of steamship
officers the steamships Marengo aud British Queen for
having promptly aud kindly consented TO stay by the
ship
Netc- York. May %. 1887
THE FLETCHER STOPPED BY THE FOG.
AT 2:30 p. m. the Fletcher again started from
Quarantine TO go down the Bay and bring ND the
remaining sixty passengers from the Celtic. On
getting down rs far as the West Bank however
the fog was so thick and the sea running so high
t was deemed mprudent to attempt to trans
fer the passengers, and the Fletcher returned to
wait till the fog lifted. Just before dusk the
Fletcher made another effort to reach the fog
bound steamer, and was successful She got the
Britannc's passengers who were, on board the
Celtic and brought them back to the city. landing
hem at the company's pier.
During the day the wrecklng steamer L j.
Merritt of the Coast Wreeking Company, was sent
found that the disabled vessel was drawing
hiry-three feet of water and even at high tide 1t
BAR even If the fog had permitted. The Merritt
set TO work pumping out the water from the hold
All the baggage OF the steerage passengers was
thoroughly soaked.
The bodies of the dead we're sewed up in canvas.
weights attached top, them and were buried
at sea- 1t was all done quietly and fey
place. They were all mangled almost beyond
Tho sembance of human beings.
The steamers both made their way to the outer
bar with their own steam, making about eight
knots an hour which the officers considered pretty
good time considering the damaged condition of
the Britannia.
WHERE SHOULD THE BLAME REsTi
The question of where the blame for the collision
should rest is not easily determined Statements
coming from those favorable to the company say
that the fog was the cause that all precautions
we're used and that the disaster could not be avoid
ed. On the other hand the statements of many OF
the passengers were that the two steamers were
going at rsswift swift ad.,o and dangerous rate
the fog signals are conflicting Some
Of the passengers say that the Celtcs whistle was
not sounding and others state the contrary.
When the William Fletcher landed tho Britain
nic's passengers at the pier at noon and definite
,ynrd wns hroupht ahOnt the state of matters Tho